Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 1577 Location: The Underground.
Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 11:03 pm Post subject: CtL's NBA Prospect Watch: Diamonds in the Rough
There are a lot of talented cats in the league that haven't established themselves in the league yet for many reasons, reasons such as: they aren't the main focal point of the offense, they're still being broken in slowly as 25 minute a night 2nd unit plyers, or they still haven't gotten a complete "feel" for the pace of the NBA. From what most fans observe, it usually takes at least 3 seasons for a draft prospect to pan out with the exception to naturals like most of the players named in the NBA 50th anniversary roster.
Here's my list of cats ya'll should be following closely, some of these peepz have gotten a lot of hate from espn "expert" analysts but I have a feeling they'll be making all star teams down the road and potentially getting nods for MVP consideration (best case).
My picks for cats to watch:
> Andrea Bargnani [why? Think of him as a younger Arvydas Sabonis with the potential to put up 24 and 7 on a nightly basis...defense still needs work though]
> Danilo Gallinari [Why? He's got nice range, a pure shooting stroke, think of him as the Italian Reggie Miller with a slight upgrade in the rebounds department, like most european players he needs to add a bit of a mean streak in his repertoire to lose the "soft" stereotype]
> Wilson Chandler [Why? Yeah, yeah, he's benefiting with the run and gun offense but ya'll can't deny his potential...so far his field goal percentage is below pedestrian, but it's been only 2 games, I can see him as a 18 and 8 guy in the future...him and Gallinari can arguably be the two key pieces to NY's play off hopes in the future]
> Yi Jianlian [Why? Yeah, like a lot of european players Yi seemed to lack the aggressiveness a 4 Spotter should enforce in games, but it's important to note that during the pre season and the first 2 games of the season it's clear he's improved leaps and bounds from his "soft" play during his first two years...he's got the athleticism of keon clark and the range of former All Star Rik Smits, I can see him as a future 19 and 10 player who'll get his share of blocks in addition to efficient shooting from the perimeter]
> Rudy Fernandez [Why? Kid can ball simple as that, he's worked on his off the dribble skills now all he needs to do is step up his defense...I see him putting up Detlef Schrempf like stats for years to come (just a bit lower on the assists), a potential 16 and 4 player].
> Marc Gasol [Why? With a shortage of legit centers outside of Yao, Dwight and Al Jefferson, Marc Gasol definitely has the skills to be a force at the 5 spot, I see him as a 19 and 11 guy in the future, shooting in the very high 50% range]
> Kevin Love [Why? He's an efficient big man, ecxpect him to be a consistent 16-10 player for years to come
> Greg Oden [Why? Sure he's no offensive beast, but that aint the reason Portland invested in him, think of him as a slimmer Ben Wallace with a more polished offensive game]
> Terrence Williams [Why? He's a talented guard that can also play the 3 spot, I can see him as a diet Glenn Robinson, 16 and 8 kind of player in the near future.]
> Marreese Speights [Why? A highly efficient scorer in the mold of Otis Thorpe, he's also a solid rebounder, he can potentially replace Elton Brand in the starting lineup, don't be surprised if Speights puts up 18-9 per contest, a definite future All Star]
> Chris Douglas Roberts [Why? He's gonna be a real solid guard in this league, I can see him as a 14-4-3 type of player.]
----------
Ready for IMPACT: Players that will definitely jump through the leagues ranks this season:
Brook Lopez - This guy is a beast, still has some flaws but his game has flashes of Tim Duncan, Lopez is a legit NBA Center that will easily be a 20+ and 10+ kind of guy for years to come, he's also a shot blocking machine.
OJ Mayo - This year he'll experience a decline in scoring average but look for his other stats to improve as he strives to develop a more well rounded game, definite future All Star.
Aaron Brooks - This is the year AB really introduces his game to the entire league, he's got the quickness of Iverson, solid Basketball IQ, expect him to put up 18 points, 3 boards and 7 assists a night.
Luis Scola - The first few games for Luis was rough, but expect him to average close to 16 a night to go along with 9 rebounds, he's one of the most efficient power forwards in the entire league.
Trevor Ariza - This year, like Aaron Brooks is Trevors' coming out party, expect him to drop 18 points, pull 4 boards and dish 4 dimes a night.
---
Peepz I don't need to mention cause it's already obvious....
Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, Jose Calderon, Andrew Bynum, etc.
Feel free to add more peepz to the list... _________________ Battle Record: [18]Wins - [2]Losses [.900 Winning%]
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Platypodge14
Capo
Joined: 04 Apr 2009 Posts: 1907 Location: Burn City
Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 2:57 am Post subject:
great list and good read..
the guy on that list i like the most is Marc Gasol, and as he gets more confident in the NBA he could devlop into like you said a 19-11 guy _________________
CtL
Capo
Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 1577 Location: The Underground.
Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 3:36 am Post subject:
Platypodge14 wrote:
great list and good read..
the guy on that list i like the most is Marc Gasol, and as he gets more confident in the NBA he could devlop into like you said a 19-11 guy
Thanks, man. U a Grizz fan, btw?
Looks like my Rockets aren't gonna be as bad as the ESPN "experts" thought they'd be, Trevor Ariza and Aaron Brooks ripped it up against Portland. Great game. _________________ Battle Record: [18]Wins - [2]Losses [.900 Winning%]
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Platypodge14
Capo
Joined: 04 Apr 2009 Posts: 1907 Location: Burn City
Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 6:17 am Post subject:
CtL wrote:
Platypodge14 wrote:
great list and good read..
the guy on that list i like the most is Marc Gasol, and as he gets more confident in the NBA he could devlop into like you said a 19-11 guy
Thanks, man. U a Grizz fan, btw?
Looks like my Rockets aren't gonna be as bad as the ESPN "experts" thought they'd be, Trevor Ariza and Aaron Brooks ripped it up against Portland. Great game.
nah i go for the Celtics, but i watch some Memphis games coz they are very fun team to watch, and so far this season he has been impressive _________________
The Calm
Made man
Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 372
Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 7:03 am Post subject:
Rodrigue Beaubois (PG for the Mavericks) will probably play D-league for a minute but he's their future, insane quickness
Anthony Morrow (G/F, Warriors) has a smooth quick release and has already shown his shooting ability is top notch
Hakim Warrick (PF, Bucks)isn't going to be an elite PF but he had flashes in Memphis now starting full time and a nice defender for Scott Skiles
Kyle Lowry (PG for Rockets) and Mike Conley (PG for Grizzlies) both play well when they are on the court as they will both mature and play more minutes
Ryan Anderson and Brandon Bass (PFs, Orlando) both acquired in the offseason, Bass signed as a RFA from Dallas and Anderson in the Vince Carter deal. Though each play the same position they bring very different styles, Bass a good low post player and Anderson and outstanding outside shooter for his position. Anderson is a great complement and Bass is a good match alongside Gortat. ---Bonus for the Magic is this allows 6'10 Rashard Lewis to play SF full time.
Jason Thompson (PF, Kings) was the #12 pick last year. He already has a knack for rebounding and is already a decent scorer, great size at 6'11. _________________ A bitch is nothing but a dog who ain't house broken
Platypodge14
Capo
Joined: 04 Apr 2009 Posts: 1907 Location: Burn City
Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 7:14 am Post subject:
So far Brandon Jennings (only 2 games but still) is lookin good
and the Trevor Ariza is lookin like a huge pick up for the rockets _________________
The Calm
Made man
Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 372
Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 7:25 am Post subject:
Platypodge14 wrote:
So far Brandon Jennings (only 2 games but still) is lookin good
and the Trevor Ariza is lookin like a huge pick up for the rockets
I still don't understand why the Lakers let Ariza go. Houston won at Utah tonight, tough to do. _________________ A bitch is nothing but a dog who ain't house broken
Platypodge14
Capo
Joined: 04 Apr 2009 Posts: 1907 Location: Burn City
Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 7:40 am Post subject:
The Calm wrote:
Platypodge14 wrote:
So far Brandon Jennings (only 2 games but still) is lookin good
and the Trevor Ariza is lookin like a huge pick up for the rockets
I still don't understand why the Lakers let Ariza go. Houston won at Utah tonight, tough to do.
Channel 1 is showing the Bulls Bucks game tomorrow so i'll get to see him play a full game but fromt that video he looks like he will be a future star
and the lakers should of kept Ariza and not signed Artest _________________
CtL
Capo
Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 1577 Location: The Underground.
Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 2:55 am Post subject:
Jennings' stat line reminds me of Steve Francis in his prime, 20-5-5 player, pretty impressive...and lol @ the Lakers ***Hopes Ariza keeps it up for Houston***
I got a feeling Aaron Brooks will be an All Star this year...and so might Ariza if he maintains that 20-4-4 line for the season. _________________ Battle Record: [18]Wins - [2]Losses [.900 Winning%]
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2xTime MC of the Month (Apr '07, Sep '07)
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Platypodge14
Capo
Joined: 04 Apr 2009 Posts: 1907 Location: Burn City
Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:18 am Post subject:
Brandon Jennings 25 points today..
how the hell did he only get like 4 minutes a game in italy,
Houston Lakers tomorrow will be a good game Ariza will probably go off _________________
CtL
Capo
Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 1577 Location: The Underground.
Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:29 am Post subject:
Platypodge14 wrote:
Brandon Jennings 25 points today..
how the hell did he only get like 4 minutes a game in italy,
Houston Lakers tomorrow will be a good game Ariza will probably go off
4real, and his field goal percentage was WEAK...if I'm not mistaken it was in the mid 30% range, and all of a sudden he's a 50% shooter in the NBA, I did NOT see that coming.
***Wants Houston to shock LA, especially Jack Nicholson*** _________________ Battle Record: [18]Wins - [2]Losses [.900 Winning%]
8 MC Battle Champion
2xTime MC of the Month (Apr '07, Sep '07)
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Shade45
The Don
Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 2441 Location: Sirius Satellite Radio
Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:33 pm Post subject:
Jonny Flynn - I've been saying this since dude was destroying opponents at Syracuse, he's a superstar in the making. He's quick, explosive, strong, has that streetball style, has decent range, etc. Dude got game.
Platypodge14
Capo
Joined: 04 Apr 2009 Posts: 1907 Location: Burn City
Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:21 am Post subject:
Yeh Flynn and JEnnings so far seem to be the only Rookies makin an impact this year
(probably wrong) _________________
The Calm
Made man
Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 372
Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:37 am Post subject:
Morrow had 24 points tonight on 10-12 from the field including 4-4 from behind the arc. _________________ A bitch is nothing but a dog who ain't house broken
dank
The Don
Joined: 15 May 2005 Posts: 3051 Location: Cali....Cali
Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 7:26 pm Post subject:
Platypodge14 wrote:
Yeh Flynn and JEnnings so far seem to be the only Rookies makin an impact this year
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